@hora – the airframe is basically worthless as you say, partly as it’s the component with the least durability and partly as to re-use it you have to spend money melting it down etc etc. The engines form the majority of a used airliners value as you can bolt them onto something else or strip down for components.

One of the smallest returns was the actual aluminium – apparently the whole lot can sometimes go for $3,000-4,000.

Slightly OT but the majority of a frame is alu…the rest is marketing and markup after the shock is taken out of the equation…lets face it a 2k frame will have a £300-400 shock?

So what you are suggesting is that because an airframe is only worth £4k as dirty scrap (its more than that though – the 737 sized fuselage I bought a couple of years ago was more like £8k, and that wasn’t complete) then that is all it costs to build an airframe?

mtb stuff is very overpriced and doesn’t seem very strong for how much it costs. I never broke much bmx stuff and the whole lot cost less than a suspension fork these days. Fair enough there’s less to go wrong but still..

After reading this thread, it got me thinking – the only “problems” I’ve had with bikes and related purchases have been with manufacturers/distributors/sellers of high-end or boutique brands. Seems to me that all the USPs associated with expensive stuff are just that – designed to justify the price, not any reflection on quality/performance/customer care.

Loads of quality frames been available new-old stock for half price or less, seen £2K yetis and Turners for £800, ibis mojos for £1100… I paid £1000 for a brand new Alpine 160 with CCDB, retail on that is £1800…